My mom and I were talking about my childhood and how I was deaf yet independent. She reminded me that my first time on stage was when I was just 3 years old in Dothan, Alabama, modeling my hearing aids. I told her how I felt walking onto the stage surrounded by strangers—remember, I was only 3! She insisted I was happy and smiling as I came out from the store onto the catwalk, but I told her I was actually confused by all the people. The only person I saw was my dad, kneeling and waving at me. I just stood there smiling as camera flashes went off. The background was so dark I couldn’t see anyone else. I modeled as a toddler for two years, but stopped after I had a golf accident that left a mark on my forehead. My modeling career was mostly about displaying pictures, but my time on stage ended there.

Then she dropped me off at swim lessons like nothing had happened. She told the people there, “Jen will learn from you by watching and copying others.” And yes, it’s true—I learned from others and followed along as I always do.

In Birmingham, Alabama, at Girl Scout camp, she left me like nothing had happened. Hehe. I often had to deal with those kinds of issues with hearing campers, but luckily I found someone who knew sign language to communicate with me. The counselor was about 18 or 20, and I was only around 10! I depended on her all the time, and while I felt bad for her, it was worth it for me to be there and face people like that. At the dance studio, she took me to lessons and left me there with all the girls. The teachers were so shocked because I was deaf! Poor teacher. I followed the girls, a little behind the routine, but I managed to do it.

Both paragraphs are from Alabama.

Dallas, Texas—here it is. I grew up alongside both hearing and deaf kids in the same public schools. I didn’t really experience independence until my 20s. Oh, I remember when my mother told me to go to the store by myself—I was so nervous! I was still young, just a pre-teen, and being an only child, I relied a lot on my parents. I did feel independent when I was in a relationship with my boyfriend during my teenage years, doing the typical teen thing of not listening to my parents, as far as I can remember. My mother was overprotective when I was a teenager—be a good girl… yeah, not exactly!

When I turned 20, I started getting more attention and became independent. I thought I could make it on my own, living in an apartment and having a job. Turns out, it was the wrong decision. I was a bit of a brat for a while—immature and thinking I was independent enough, but I wasn’t. I learned a lot during those years about what’s right and wrong when it comes to independence. I had girls come and go from my life, bringing crazy situations, and I made it through. That taught me a lot, too.

I had wonderful years in St. Louis, MO during my 30s and 40s. I learned to make my own decisions and be independent. My parents lived nearby, and I could reach out to them whenever I needed. I lived in an apartment and managed my finances. After winning a lawsuit against UPS, I bought a home and handled it well. Later, after being laid off, I moved into a condo. Fortunately, my finances were secure thanks to the house and truck. I even traded in my big RAM truck for a car that fit nicely in the condo garage.

Moved back to Alabama, my home state, because my family needs me! Stayed at my parents’ house while staying independent as always. Hearing world or Deaf world?

What about deaf families being independent? I mean an entire family that is deaf, not like mine, since my family is hearing and I’m the only deaf person. How about you?

Smiles ~ DW